PART 9: THE SACRIFICES OF ABRAHAM
In the name of God
Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
Peace unto all the Saints
of God. Thanks to God our Father and the Father of humankind. This Father also gave
us His Son our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for this we are
eternally grateful. We pray Father for Peace in the name of Jesus Christ in our
homes, churches, schools, across the land and country and in Jerusalem.
We continue with our
discussion on the historical development of sacrifices as noted in scripture.
Here we see the patriarch Abraham.
Genesis 12:7-8. “And the
Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and
there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.”
“And he removed from
thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having
Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the
Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.”
As we look at these verses
we see God making another promise to Abraham. (1) I will make of thee a great
nation noted in verse 2; (2) “unto thy seed will I give this land” verse 7; and
(3) “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed verse 3. Also in this verse we see the word altar
mentioned. This word is very important in understanding our concerns here.
First we see the connection in the definitive qualities of the word altar.
The altar was the place
for worship and sacrifice. Most altars were built for sacrificial purposes and
some for memorial purposes. With the erection of the tabernacle, the Hebrews
constructed altars for two chief purposes, the offering of sacrifices and the
burning of incense. During this period,
which was before the law the altar was the chief item of family worship on
which animals were offered in sacrifice?
So our point here is that
sacrifice in the Old Testament and time of the Law meant sacrificing animals
for sin. However we will turn to the New Testament to see again just how contemporary
Christians reject Jesus Christ when they practice the rituals of Tithes and
Offerings.
In Galatians 3 we find some powerful and
revealing scripture that clearly shows that Jesus Christ was the promise to
remove the need for sacrifices and Tithes and Offerings. Our primary scripture
is verse 16 however we advise the reader to read and study this entire chapter
we will begin with verses 13-14.
Galatians 3:13-14. ”Christ
hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it
is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
3:14. “That the blessing
of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might
receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
We are free from the curse
of the law and Tithes and Offerings through the blood of Jesus Christ. Give but it is not a Tithe and Offering. In Acts 15:10 Paul said fathers were not able
to bear the yoke of the law. Paul quotes from the Old Testament and essentially
notes that we now live by faith. And those that continue under the law are
under a curse. (See Hebrews 10:28). In Romans 8:2 we see that Christ frees us
from the curse of the law. Here Paul reveals that the Galatians were going back
to the law hence this placed them under the curse.
Galatians 3:16. “Now to
Abraham and his seed were the promises made He saith not, And to seeds, as of
many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
This is the first instance
in which the promise of Christ is made to any individual. Seed can be used in a
singular or plural fashion. This seed in this instance is Christ. (See Hebrews 10:5-7). The promise to Abraham
was also made to Jesus Christ in heaven.
Jesus came to bless all nations and all that embrace Him are of the seed
of Abraham and live by faith and not by the law.
Also the Law and the
rituals of the Law were for Jews only. However in Genesis God promised his Seed
to render the seed of Abraham eternal life by faith and not by the law that was
impossible to comply with. So again Brethren we note that when you actively
participate in Tithes and Offerings you reject Jesus Christ.
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net